SOLD OUT!

We have recently sold out of our entire standing inventory of homes in Sweet Apple, Hedgerows, Hidden Falls, and Morgan Commons- all in Buford, GA.  We are especially excited about the recent sales in Sweet Apple.  All of our finished homes have sold, and we now have 5 pre-sales under contract as well.  The Builder- Reliant Homes, has just released four new lots that they have begun building on.  We have already received a lot of interest in these upcoming homes, which are inside the sought after Buford City School District.

We honestly have more Buyers’ then we have homes that meet their needs.  With only a 1 months’ supply of homes available in Gwinnett County, we need more homes to sell!

We take our job very seriously, and we are dedicated to exceeding your expectations when it comes to understanding today’s Real Estate market.  We represent all Sellers from Builders and Banks to Distressed Homeowner’s considering a short sale, and normal re-sale Sellers.  We even have a Property Management Specialist on our team who can assist you in finding a qualified tenant to lease your home.  We recently listed a home for lease and within a week we not only found a wonderful, qualified tenant for the home, but we had a signed, 2 year lease and deposit in hand.  Talk about a happy Homeowner!

Whether you decide to sell or lease your home, there are many options available, and we can assist you with ALL of your Real Estate needs.

As your local Buford Real Estate experts, we know this market like no one else.  If you’d like to put your trust in a Real Estate Team with a proven track record in your neighborhood, please give us a call for a free market analysis of your home.  (678)714-6384 or email us at Info@HillWoodHomeTeam.com

Good Foreclosures are going fast!

It is true that this is very much a Buyer’s market; but with the limited amount of inventory available, good-looking foreclosure properties, in desirable areas, sell very fast.

Take for example the home below, that went on the market on Saturday morning. This adorable 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath home in Buford was listed at $15,899 and need of some cosmetic work, but nothing too major.  One huge plus to this home is the Buford City School District that it’s in.  Ranked as one of the top schools in the state, the school system only added to the great value of this little home.

Our Clients, a young couple purchasing their first home, made an all cash offer on Monday morning for $3,000 over the list price.  Unfortunately, their offer was not accepted, and I was told there were at least 10 other offers in the mix.  We will continue looking, and I know they will find the perfect home.  At the very least after making this offer, they have learned that you have to be aggressive and quick with your offer on any great deal like this that comes along.

There are unbelievable deals like this coming on the market every day.  If you would like to be notified as soon as a good foreclosure deal goes on the market in a specific area, send us an email to info@hillwoodhometeam.com and we would be happy to set up a custom foreclosure search for you.

Whether you’re an investor, a first time home buyer, looking to move up to a larger home, or seeking commercial space- there is every kind of foreclosure deal available right now.  We look forward to helping you find the best possible property for your needs.

Spring has sprung!

Tomorrow is the first day of spring, and this year the housing market might not be as daunting for buyers and sellers, according to a new report.

The number of homes for sale has been steadily decreasing, helping list prices stabilize and giving both buyers and sellers a little more confidence in the market.  Overall, national inventories have dropped more than 20 percent since last year, according to a Realtor.com report, and houses are staying on the market for shorter periods.  List prices are looking up, too, rising almost 7 percent since last February.  This is great news for both buyers and sellers alike!

In Gwinnett County these statistics are especially true, where there have been 1,623 closings so far in 2012.  With interest rates at an all-time low and amazing deals everywhere you look, many buyers are taking advantage of this spring market.  We are also seeing more and more sellers listing their homes lately, even though they may be competing with foreclosure and short sales.  If a home looks good and is priced right, it will sell.

With spring finally here, we are confident the market will only continue to improve and prosper.  For all of your Real Estate needs-  buying, selling or renting- call The Hill Wood Home Team at (678)714-6384.

Considering a short sale? We can help!

If you are behind on your mortgage payments for any reason, or if you expect to have problems paying your mortgage in the future, we can help.  The Hill Wood Home Team is experienced with every aspect of the short sale process and we will work directly with your lender to find a solution now.

What exactly is a short sale you ask?  It is a transaction where the lenders agree to accept less than the mortgage amount owed by the current homeowner, in lieu of foreclosure.  There are many reasons homeowners may choose to do a short sale on their home.  Some fall on hard times either due to a job loss, divorce, or medical situation, which then causes them to fall behind on their mortgage payments.  Others may want to sell their home either because of a job transfer or the need for a larger or smaller home, and the amount they owe on the home is significantly less than what their home will sell for in today’s market.  If the net proceeds from the sale won’t cover the total mortgage obligation and closing costs, and you don’t have the funds to cover the difference, then a short sale may be your best option.

The first step to a short sale is to hire a professional real estate team that is experienced in the process.  The Hill Wood Home Team works closely with attorneys and will be a strong voice for you when negotiating with your lender.  We will provide you with a comparative market analysis to give you a good idea of what your home will sell for in today’s market, market your home on 100’s of sites, assist you with completing your short sale package to send to the lender, negotiate with the buyers, and most importantly we will make sure the entire process is as smooth and hassle free as possible for you and your family.  The best part about what we offer is that our services are FREE to you when you do a short sale on your home.  In the state of Georgia, the lender pays our commission on a short sale, even though we are working for you.

Sometimes the only option is short selling your home.  Of course, no one is better at helping you do that than a licensed Realtor.  At The Hill Wood Home Team, we work with distressed homeowners every day, so there is no need to be ashamed or embarrassed about doing a short sale.  It’s better to short sell your home rather than go through foreclosure because not only will it save you from having a huge hit on your credit, but most people can qualify to buy another home within 2 years.  There IS hope!  Call or email us today and let’s talk about your options.

(678)714-6384

info@HillWoodHomeTeam.com

It really IS a Buyer’s market!

Not too long ago, if you were looking for a good deal on a home, you would almost always end up in a bidding war.  There were not many homes on the market and the ones that were for sale were selling at top dollar because there were so many buyers wanting to get into a new home before the tax credit expired.  Now that we are in a ‘down market’, the positive side is that there is a large variety of homes on the market at much lower prices.  Today’s Sellers know they have to price their homes competitively to compete with the short sales and foreclosures on the market; making it a perfect time to buy a new home.

With so much inventory on the market today, you are bound to find the perfect place to call home.  Whether you are looking for a new construction home or a foreclosure fixer upper, your choices are near limitless.  Remember the old saying “buy low, sell high”?  You can do this in today’s Real Estate market!  There are many homes on the market right now that are selling for far less than what they are actually worth.  With this savings, you have the opportunity to make the renovations and updates that you want to your new home, or you can use your savings towards new furniture, a hot tub, or maybe even those stainless steel appliances you’ve had your eye on.

Not only does the current Real Estate market give you the chance to get an amazing deal, but it also gives you more options of homes to choose from.  Combined with interest rates which have reached a record low below 4 percent, there has not been a better time in years to buy a new home.  Time is definitely of the essence though because this type of market could change at any time.  Call us at (678)714-6384 and we will send you the most up-to-date deals in the areas you are interested in.  Let us show you just how great this current Buyer’s market truly is!

What is the NSP Program?

The NSP Program or The Neighborhood Stabilization Program was established under HUD to help stabilize communities that have suffered from foreclosures or abandonment.  A second objective of the NSP Program is to provide affordable housing to eligible low, moderate, and middle income homebuyers.  A Housing and Recovery Act was signed into law in 2008 to address the severe housing crisis, allocating $3.92 billion in grant funds under the NSP Program.  These funds allow local governments to purchase and redevelop foreclosed properties in areas with the greatest need.

Gwinnett County received approximately $10.5 million from HUD, as well as approximately $3 million from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.  Available NSP homes are priced from $70,000 to just under $200,000 and are located throughout Gwinnett County.  Some of these homes were previously foreclosed and have been updated and finished into move-in ready homes, while others may have never been lived in at all.

NSP Homebuyers will receive up to $22,500 towards the purchase of their new home which may be used to lower the sales price, towards the down payment, or for closing costs.  The purchaser must meet certain qualifications including qualifying for a 30 year fixed FHA loan, completing an 8 hour HUD home owners class, and they must occupy the home as their primary residence.  There are also income levels which must be met.  For a family of 2, the maximum household income for all persons in the household must not exceed $66,550, and for a family of 4 the maximum is $83,150.

This beautiful home in Lawrenceville offers 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and is almost 3,300 square feet!  Listed at $195,900, this NSP home offers $22,500 in down payment assistance.

For a full list of current available NSP Program homes, call us at (678)714-6384 or email us at info@hillwoodhometeam.com.

Why buying a foreclosure may be a good option for you

There are many reasons why buying a foreclosure may make sense for you and your family, including low price, flexible financing, and profitability to name a few.

The most common discount you will find on a home that has gone into foreclosure is about 5-10 percent below the true market value.  However, this price can be lowered as much as 30-50 percent depending on the property and how long it has been on the market.  In any case, you will be able to purchase the property for a lot less than most re-sales or new construction.  Also, because most foreclosures are so inexpensive, they are a good option for re-sale, equity building, renting, or other investment purposes.  Since most foreclosures require repairs or renovations, many buyers choose to go this route so they can remodel the home to their own tastes.  Whether you decide to stay in the house for years, or flip it quickly to make a profit, you stand to gain financially.

If you are looking for a home you can move into quickly, a foreclosure may be a good option for you.  Most banks that sell foreclosures are in a hurry to get rid of these homes, making them more willing to accept lower offers, consider different financing options, contribute to closing costs, etc.  Since most foreclosures are already vacant, there is no waiting for the current owners to pack up before you can move into your new home.

No matter what type of home you choose to buy, there are always arguments for and against every choice.  Though the market continues to get better, there is still a large amount of foreclosures going up every day, and a lot of inventory for a smart buyer to choose from.  As long as you do your research, and choose a great Realtor to help you in the process, you will land on top.

The Hill Wood Home Team works directly with local banks and has inside information on upcoming foreclosures before most anyone else in the area.  Call us at (678)371-6549 or visit our website www.HillWoodHomeTeam.com to request a free list of the best foreclosure deals in the area. 

 

 

Working with a Realtor will save you time and money!

The idea of buying a home may seem like an easy task.  Simply determine what type of home you want, the area you would like to live in, and how much you are willing to pay.  You then search on a few websites, make an offer, get it accepted, sign some papers,  and move into your dream home.   If only it were that easy!

Tha reality is that buying a home encompasses a lot more than those few steps and may be much more complicated than you realized.  That is why it’s imperative for you to seek a real estate professional to help on your journey to home ownership.

In the area of financing alone, buying a home has a lot of factors to take into account.  By having a Realtor ask you a few questions about your available savings, income, and current debt, they can refer you to a lender best qualified to fit your needs.  Our team has lenders that can approve someone with a credit score as low as 580, as well as lenders who are knowledgable of all current down payment assistance programs!

Once you have established your buying power as well as the type of home you would like to purchase, your Realtor will help you during the search process while showing you all available homes in the area which match your criteria.  When it’s time to make an offer, there are many factors your Realtor will take into account when negotiating the best price possible for you.  These include price, financing, terms, date of possession, and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs or items in the home.

Once all parties have agreed to the terms, you will be under contract on your new home.  At this point, your Realtor will advise you on what inspections are necessary and also recommends licensed inspectors to use.  Once all inspections have passed, the appraisal has been completed, and there has been a clear title pulled on the home, your Realtor will guide you through the closing process to make sure everything is as smooth as possible.

Once all the paperwork has been signed, and the attorney hands you the keys to your new home, you will be confident in knowing you received the best deal possible for your money.  Having a licensed Realtor help you on the purchase of your new home in Georgia costs you nothing.  They are paid by the Sellers, and therefore their services to you are completely free.  We have helped hundred’s of buyers find their way home….call us to see how we can help you! (678)371-6549 or email us at info@hillwoodhometeam.com

Welcome!

As this is our very first blog post, we want to thank you for stopping by to check us out.  We are a Real Estate Team based out of Buford, GA which specializes in new construction, foreclosures, short sales, re-sales, land and commercial property.  We have close relationships with several local banks, which enable us to know about the best deals preparing to go on the market before most anyone else in the area.  Our passion is Real Estate and helping families to obtain the American Dream of Home Ownership, and that’s the reason we’re writing this blog.  We look forward to sharing all of our Real Estate knowledge with you, as well as the best new home deals in the North Metro Atlanta area.

Today’s Deal of the Day– Are you looking for a 4 sided brick, Master on the Main, 4 bedroom home with a Media room in the TOP rated Buford City School District?  Look no further!  This adorable brand new home is move in ready and listed at only $239,900!!